Journalist Can Öztürk, who was detained while covering the Nureddin Yıldız protests at Boğaziçi University, appeared before the judge.

The first hearing of the trial against 15 students, including T24 reporter Can Öztürk, stemming from the Nureddin Yıldız protests at Boğaziçi University, was held. In his defense, journalist Can Öztürk stated, "My throat was squeezed, and my press card hanging around my neck was pulled and broken along with the rope around my neck." The hearing was adjourned until January 12, 2026.

Fifteen people who were detained for protesting theologian Nureddin Yıldız and later prosecuted on charges of "resisting to prevent people from performing their duties" and "participating in unlawful meetings and marches without weapons and failing to disperse on their own despite warnings" appeared before a judge for the first time today.

T24 reporter Can Öztürk is also on trial in the case. Attorney Didare Hazal Sümeli requested that the case be separated because Can Öztürk is a journalist and was at the scene to cover the news. The judge rejected the request. The defense then began.

Arda Atçı, a 20-year-old student who was detained for 16 days, stated in his defense, "I was suddenly caught in a crowd. I had no prior knowledge of the incident. The police intervened quickly. They beat me. I was taken away and put in a vehicle. My family and I were deeply affected by this process. Because I couldn't attend classes, my GPA dropped, and now I can't receive a scholarship. I didn't harm anyone; I was just passing by the same route I usually take."

T24 reporter Can Öztürk described his experiences at Boğaziçi University as follows:

I'm a journalist who works both in the field and in the halls of this courthouse. I'm in and out of courtrooms in Istanbul. I'm also assigned by my institution to cover protests in the field when necessary. That day, I went to Boğaziçi University's North Campus and began sharing the news I'd written in real-time with my colleagues. In addition to the news, videos I'd shot were shared on Twitter. Then, when riot police entered the school and the students began to be cornered in the area by the police, I was caught between them. Some students collapsed on my legs and arms as the police pushed them. As you can see in the assault reports I received, I suffered bruises on my body.

Journalist Can Öztürk said that he went back to film in a larger area. “I was pushed back into the crowd by the police. I continued reporting the news from there in the same manner. Despite stating that I was a journalist, I was forced into the blockade. At the time of the blockade, I was carrying both my official ID and my international press card, valid in over 140 countries. Despite showing these cards to officers I knew personally, I was not allowed to leave. Some police officers then insulted me and told me they wouldn't let me go so I couldn't share the videos I had shot. I was targeted by the police in the area because of my journalistic work and was detained. I was strangled, and my press card, which was hanging around my neck, was pulled and broken along with the rope around my neck. After all this, I was handcuffed behind my back,” he said.

Can Ozturk continued:

Despite stating that I have a genetic liver disease, I was denied food for a long time. Despite presenting copies of my press cards at the police station, the prosecutor's office referred me to the courthouse in person. I believe I practiced journalism in the best way possible. I shouldn't be on trial here in the dock, but rather in the background, watching with my fellow journalists. Not only am I being prevented from doing my job by the events on the university campus, but this trial is also momentarily victimizing me. Therefore, I demand my acquittal.

Eren Mehmet Apucu, 20, who was held in custody for 16 days, said, "I was held in custody for eight hours without food or water. A police officer showed me four photos, and I wasn't in any of them. He asked his superior, and he said it wasn't me. The photo was of a woman with hair similar to mine. I was held in custody for 16 days. I constantly drank from the tap, which is why I got sick. Even my visits to my family were restricted. I couldn't take my exams, and even though I took summer school classes, I didn't pass."

21-year-old İdil Bayram demanded her acquittal, saying, "I was detained for 16 days. I witnessed situations I would never have witnessed before. Because my family was out of town, they had serious financial difficulties coming and going. I believe I am a victim in this case."

The lawyers requested that video recordings be reviewed to identify the officer they claim they have been repeatedly encountering at social events for a year. They also requested that a criminal complaint be filed against the police officer on duty on the day of the incident and that an ex officio investigation be launched. Following the defense of the defendant and the lawyer, the prosecutor's office requested that the missing information be addressed and that a person whose testimony had not been heard be heard.

The judge, announcing his interim ruling, ordered the plaintiffs who failed to appear for the hearing to be brought to justice. He rejected the lawyers' requests to file a criminal complaint and exempted all defendants from attending the hearing. The next hearing is scheduled for January 12, 2026.

Theologian Nureddin Yıldız's remarks at a program he attended in 2015, "There is no age limit for marriage in our Islamic sharia. What does this mean? A child can marry before puberty. Marriages between children can also be held. Marriages between adults and children can also be held," drew widespread criticism.

Yıldız was invited as a guest speaker to an event organized by the Boğaziçi University Islamic Studies Club (BİSAK). He was scheduled to speak at the event titled "Islamic sciences: For whom and for how much?"

Students who didn't want Yıldız to speak at their university gathered on North Campus. They chanted, "Nurettin Yıldız, get out of my university!"

Police cracked down harshly on students gathered on campus. A total of 97 young people were detained during the intervention. Many of the detained students were handcuffed behind their backs and led away.

Fifteen of the 97 students detained after the blockade were referred to the courthouse, six of the students were arrested , while T24 reporter Can Öztürk and the eight students accompanying him were released with judicial control measures in the form of signatures and a travel ban.

One of the detainees was released ex officio two days later, and the other five were released 16 days later, and all judicial control measures were lifted .

(ANKA)